Core strength key to fitness

5:32 PM,
Jun. 12, 2013

Written by

Dr. Salvatore LaCagnina

We have all heard about exercising to maintain "core" strength, but what exactly is the core of your body?

The core is the center of the body which helps keep the spine straight and healthy. In order for this to happen, you have to keep the core muscles strong. The core muscles include the muscles of the abdomen, back and pelvis. These muscles keep the spinal column in alignment while maintaining its normal curvature. When the core muscles are weak the spine does not keep its normal curves, which contributes to chronic back pain and degeneration of the joints. When this happens the discs between ...